Week Two 2014

I had intended to post my 2014 hopes and goals this week.  That didn't happen.  I thought I would start the year strong on blogging.  Oops.  That didn't happen either.  But if I do nothing else in blogland during the week, I still consider it an imperative to post my Friday Fave Fives.  As always, I greatly appreciate Susanne's faithfulness in leading us in naming our weekly blessings.

1. I know that most of North America has been in a mess of ice, snow, and sub zero temperatures.  Our family members have been inundated with WEATHER.  But here in our mediterranean coastal climate, we have been experiencing dry winds, temperatures in the 60s and 70sF, and plenty of sun.  I love where I live because I just can't deal with cold and snow.  I am truly thankful that I have not had to.

2.  One afternoon I spent a couple of hours with women from a small "Creative Call" group of which I was a part last year.  We are all committed Christians and we all spend much of our free time delving in to various forms of creative endeavors.  We met to renew our focuses and to plan some new adventures for this year.  LOVE. THIS. GROUP. OF. WOMEN.  They encourage me and push me to new levels of creativity.

3.  My younger daughter arrived on Monday afternoon with her two little ones (who will SOON SOON be part of our forever family).  We are enjoying these days!  Lots of playing in parks.  One day we took them to Ventura Marina Park where there is a special children's play area--a 'shipwrecked' structure and a zip line.

ZG loved the thrills.

Even The Little Man decided the zip line was fun as long as Bapa was there to protect him.

4.  The Professor's brother and sister-in-law decided to escape their midwest winter and are staying in our area for a couple of months.  We have enjoyed seeing them once already and are looking forward to many more fun family times in the next few weeks.

5.  I love sharing interests with my daughters.  With my younger girl, it's knitting.  We have been trading patterns, ideas, yarn.  Mostly she's been dumping her leftovers sharing some skeins with me since she is moving soon and doesn't want to pack and ship extra stuff.  So now I have enough yarn to finish afghans for all three grandkids plus knit up plenty more hats.  And I probably won't need to buy any yarn for at least a decade.

So this has been Willow's Week.  I hope you will take time to reflect on your week and recognize with gratitude the blessings, large and small, that happen in your world.  I'd love you to share one in the comments.